The Endless Internal Conflicts of Islam: Why the "Religion of Peace" Is Torn Apart by Violence

Introduction: A House Divided

Islam is often promoted as a religion of peace, but the reality of the Muslim world tells a different story. From the very beginning of Islamic history, the faith has been marked by bitter internal conflicts, brutal wars, and endless sectarian violence. Sunni vs. Shia. Extremist vs. Moderate. Reformist vs. Conservative. These divisions are not just minor differences — they are deep, bloody, and seemingly unresolvable.

Why is a religion that claims to be a divine guide for all humanity so hopelessly divided? Is this simply a failure of its followers, or is there something in the core teachings of Islam that makes division inevitable? In this detailed exploration, we will uncover the root causes of Islam's endless internal conflicts, from the violent schism after Muhammad’s death to the modern clashes between Sunni extremists and moderate Muslims.

1. The Original Schism: Sunni vs. Shia — A Legacy of Blood

1.1. The Dispute Over Succession

The first and most defining conflict in Islam began immediately after Muhammad’s death in 632 AD.
The question was simple: Who should lead the Muslim community?
- Sunnis: Believed that leadership should go to Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s close companion.
- Shias: Insisted that leadership belonged to Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law.
This was not just a political dispute; it became a theological and ideological divide.
- Sunnis emphasize following the "Sunnah" (traditions) of Muhammad and the first four caliphs.
- Shias emphasize the spiritual authority of the Imams, who are seen as divinely guided leaders.

1.2. The Battle of Karbala: A Legacy of Martyrdom and Revenge

The conflict reached a bloody climax at the Battle of Karbala (680 AD), where Hussein, the grandson of Muhammad and a key Shia figure, was killed by the Sunni forces of the Umayyad Caliphate.
For Shias, Hussein's martyrdom became a symbol of injustice, betrayal, and righteous struggle against oppression.
The annual commemoration of Ashura by Shias is a reminder of this event, keeping the wounds of the Sunni-Shia divide open for centuries.

1.3. Endless Sunni-Shia Wars

This division did not remain a historical event — it led to centuries of conflict:
- The Abbasid Revolution (750 AD): Overthrew the Sunni Umayyad Caliphate with Shia support, only to betray the Shias.
- The Safavid-Ottoman Wars (16th–18th centuries): A series of brutal wars between Sunni Ottomans and Shia Safavids in Persia.
- Modern Conflicts: Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon — all are plagued by Sunni-Shia violence.

2. The Sectarian Divide: Extremists vs. Moderates

2.1. The Rise of Salafism and Wahhabism

Within Sunni Islam, another bitter divide emerged with the rise of Salafism and Wahhabism — extremist interpretations that call for a return to the "pure" practices of the early Muslims.
Founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (18th century) in Arabia, Wahhabism became the dominant ideology of Saudi Arabia.
Salafism, which shares similar views, has spread globally, fueled by Saudi oil wealth and propaganda.
These extremist groups view other Muslims who do not follow their strict interpretations as "deviants" or even "apostates," leading to violence.

2.2. The War Within: Radical Groups vs. Moderate Muslims

Radical groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and the Taliban do not just target non-Muslims — they also target other Muslims.
Moderate Muslims who advocate for peaceful coexistence, women’s rights, or democratic governance are seen as enemies.
This is not a marginal issue — most victims of Islamic terrorism are other Muslims.
Countries like Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Nigeria have been devastated by extremist violence, with Muslims caught in the crossfire.

3. The Crisis of Religious Authority: Who Speaks for Islam?

3.1. Competing Schools of Thought

Islam is divided into numerous schools of jurisprudence, each claiming to be the true path:
- Sunni Schools: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali.
- Shia Schools: Jafari, Zaydi, Ismaili.
- Quranists: Reject the Hadith and follow the Quran alone.
- Sufis: Emphasize mysticism and personal spiritual experience.
These schools often disagree on fundamental issues:
- How to perform prayer.
- The status of women.
- The legitimacy of jihad.
Without a central religious authority, Islam is in a constant state of fragmentation.

3.2. The Fall of the Caliphate: A Leaderless Ummah

For centuries, the Caliphate served as the symbolic head of the Muslim world.
But the Ottoman Caliphate was abolished in 1924, leaving Muslims without a clear leader.
This has led to competing claims of religious authority:
- The King of Saudi Arabia claims to be the "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques."
- Iran’s Supreme Leader claims to be the guardian of Shia Islam.
- Radical groups like ISIS declare their own Caliphate.

4. The Struggle Over Reform: Tradition vs. Modernity

4.1. Reformists vs. Conservatives

In every Muslim-majority country, there is a struggle between those who want to modernize Islam and those who cling to traditional interpretations.
Reformists advocate for:
- Women’s rights and gender equality.
- Freedom of speech and religious tolerance.
- Democratic governance.
Conservatives oppose any change to Islamic law, viewing it as a divine system that cannot be altered.

4.2. The Violent Backlash Against Reform

Reformers who challenge traditional teachings often face severe consequences:
- Fatwas (religious decrees) are issued against them.
- They are branded as "apostates" or "heretics."
- Some are assassinated, such as Farag Foda (Egyptian reformist, assassinated in 1992) and Rashad Khalifa (Quranist, assassinated in 1990).

5. The Reality of Endless Internal Conflicts

The Muslim world is in a state of constant internal conflict:
- Sunnis and Shias kill each other over theological differences.
- Extremist groups target moderate Muslims who do not share their rigid interpretations.
- Reformists are persecuted or killed for questioning traditional teachings.
This is not just a modern problem — it is a pattern that has existed since the very beginning of Islam.

6. The Verdict: Islam’s House Divided

Islam claims to be a religion of peace, but its history is one of endless bloodshed. The Sunni-Shia divide, the rise of extremist groups, the constant struggle between reformists and conservatives — these are not anomalies. They are the inevitable result of a faith that is both rigid and fragmented, a system that demands absolute submission but cannot decide what submission means.

Islam is not just divided — it is self-destructing. For a religion that claims to be the final, perfect revelation, it has been in a state of violent chaos for 1,400 years.

Refuting Islam

Thursday, May 8, 2025